Analysis of modulation response and locking range dynamics for coherently coupled phased, vertical cavity laser arrays

High-speed vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are important for optical data transmission applications. Modulation bandwidth for free-running VCSELs typically ranges from few to twenty GHz. An interesting discovery is that modulation bandwidth may be appreciably improved with coherently coupled arrays. Recently we reported the ability to tune 2-1 phased, photonic crystal VCSEL arrays into various regions of coherently coupled operation and its utilization for producing greatly enhanced resonance frequency and modulation bandwidth. We have since applied dynamic coupled mode theory to evaluate relevant aspects of modulation response and locking range dynamics observed from coherently coupled 2-1 arrays.